Fire extinguisher



Nov. T211929- H. w. DOUGHTY FIRE EXTINGUISHER Filgd March 22, 1928 ATTORNEYS Patented Nov. 12, 1929 UNETEDS'EATES HOWARD WATERS DOUGHTY, OF AMHERST, MASSACHUSETTS FIRE ,EXTINGUISI-IER q l 1 Application filed March 22, 1928. SerialNo. 263,669.

This invention relates to fire extinguishers of the type which functions automatically to spray a fire-extinguishing liquid over surfaces in the vicinity of the extinguisher when 5 the temperature rises beyonda predetermined .20 closed normally by a frangible diaphragm of thin material such as metal foil which is ruptured when the pressure develops or a closure may be held in position to seal the outlet by a fusible link such as those used in automatic sprinkler systems.

Both of the closures described are, however, subject to certain disadvantages. The metal foil may be punctured without actual bursting before the temperature has risen 3 sufficiently to develop the necessary pressure in the extinguisher. Inthis case the liquid may be discharged so slowly that it does not spread over the burning surface. If a fusible link is used to seal the extinguisher, the link may be melted by local heating before the extinguisher has attained a temperature sufficient to generate gas therein. In that case the discharge may not be sufficiently rapid to accomplish the desired spreading of the 4.0 fire-extinguishin liquid. In either case the object is defeate or the operation made less effective. v

It is the purpose of the present invention to provide a simple and effective fire extinguisher which avoids the difficulties mentioned and consequently affords assurance of the desired fire protection.

In carrying out the invention I employ an outer receptacle and inner container with an outlet from the inner container as in similar devices heretofore used. The outlet isclosed by a stopple. A- screw or equivalent means, mounted in a frame inwhich the outer receptacle ofthe extinguisher is supported, bears against the stopple which is thus firmly and securely held against the outlet to seal the extinguisher. A look nut may be pro vided on the screw to avoid accidental re lease of the stopple. A Preferably the stopple is in the form of a spray head to direct the so liquid over the surrounding surface when it is released.

The outer receptacle of the extinguisher maybe supported in the frame by a fusible member. The fusible member is inserted before the extinguisher is assembled and serves to hold the parts in assembled relation against the pressure'of the screw. The fus- V ible membermay bearranged "to act against Y the screw in compressionor in tension;

ln'preparing the extinguisher the stopple is removed and the air vent is opened. The gas-producing liquid, such as concentrated ammonia solution, is introduced through the outlet. The inner container is then filled with the firesextinguishing liquid to displace the gas-producing liquid which is forced into the outer receptacle. The fusible member "is inserted in the frame with the outer recepa tacle of the extinguisher; The stopple is'then 0 inserted in the outlet .and is seated tightly by manipulating thescrew. Y J a The extinguisher is thus charged and re-. mains unchanged until a fire occurs. The heating of the extinguisher causes the gasproducing liquidto release the ,gas and generate pressure. When the temperature has risen sufficiently to melt the fusible member, the latter fuses, thus permitting the extinguisher to drop slightly. The outlet is released from the stopple and the pres-sure forces the liquid from the inner container through the outlet. It is distributed over the surrounding surfaceby the spray head.

The composition usedforthe fusible mein- 5 her may be such as to permit release of the liq- I uid only after sufficient pressure has'developed in the outer receptacle by the heating of the extinguisher. Various alloys having suitable melting points to accomplishthispurpose are well known in the art. The melting of the fusible member ensures the separation of the outlet from the stopple because of the weight of the receptacle and its contents. The device operates with certainty and provides adequate protection against fires in its vicinity.

The extinguisher will be further described with reference to the accompanying drawing, illustrating the preferred embodiment thereof, in which 7 Fig.1 is a vertical section through an extinguisher embodying the invention;

Fig. 2 is a section on the line 2-2 of Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 is a vertical section through another form-of the device; and Fig. 4 is a section on the line H of Fig. 3. Referring to Figs. 1 and 2 of the drawing, an inner, container 5 of glass, porcelain, aluminum or other non-corrodible material is enclosed within an outer receptacle 6 Which is made preferably .of aluminum. The container 5 may rest on spacers 7 and is somewhat 7 smaller than the receptacle 6 to afford space for the gas-producing liquid, A tube 8, also preferably made of aluminum, extends from the bottom of the inner container through the top of the outer receptacle to provide an outlet, A removable cap 9 is provided on the outer receptacle to vent the air when the extinguisher is being filled.

. A frame 10 of any suitable metal is provided with a bottom 11 having an opening 12 therein, A plug of fusible metal13 rests on the bottom 11' with a projection extending into the opening 12 to prevent displacement. A plate 14 rests on the fusible plug and supports the outer receptacle 6 of the extinguisher.

The frame is provided with a spacin ring 15 to prevent lateral displacement of t 1e extinguisher and with a bail 16 hinged at17 thereto. At the top of the bail is a threaded opening to receive a screw 18. A spray head 19, preferably of glass, porcelain, or metal,

is mounted on the/screw and has a conicalstopple 20 thereon which engagesthe outlet end of the tube 8. The stopple may be held tightly in place to sealthe extingulsher, the screw being locked by a nut 21. A ring 22 may be provided on the end of the screw to facilitate suspension of the extinguisher. 1 a As hereinbefore explained, when the extinguisher has been filled and adjusted, the melting of theplug will release the end of the outlet tube from the stopple and permit ejection' of the fire-extinguishing liquid under pressure developed by the heating of the liquid in the outer receptacle. When the contents are; discharged the extinguisher can be refilled and adjusted with a fresh fusible plug in the frame for further use.

In Figs. 3 and 4: of the drawing a slightly different form of the invention is illustrated.

An inner container 25 of glass, porcelain,

is made preferably of aluminum. The container 25 may rest on spacers 27 and is smaller than the receptacle 26 to afford space for the gas-producing liquid. A tube 28, also preferably made of aluminum, extends from the bottom of the inner container throughthe top of the outer receptacle to provide an outlet.

A removable cap 29 on the outer receptacle permits the venting of the air when the extinguisher is being filled.

The outer receptacle 26 is provided with a flange 30 near its upper end and the flange is supported upon an annulus 31 which in turn rests upon fusible plugs ,32 supported on inwardly directed lugs 32 of a frame 33-. The frame may have a threaded openingto receive a screw 34 which carries a stopple 35 which is adapted to cooperate with an outlet from the tube 28. A lock nut 36 on the screw can be used to lock the device when it has been assembled. The screw may also carry a ring 37 whereby the extinguisher can be suspended. The stopple 35 is preferably in the form of a spray head to facilitate the distribution of the firerextinguishing liquid.

The apparatus as described is filled with the gas-producing and fire-extinguishing liquid as in the preceding embodiment of the invention, and when so filled it remains unchanged until a fire occurs in the vicinity. When the temperature rises sufliciently the fusible plugs 32 are melted and the receptacle 26 is permitted to drop so that the outlet from. the tube 28 is released from the stopple35. The heating'of the gas-producing liquid in the receptacle 26 causes the ejection of the fire-extinguishing liquid from the container 25 and the liquid is distributed over the sur-= rounding surface to extinguish the fire.

Aluminum is preferably used for the outer receptacle because it is not attacked by carbon tetrachloride andammonia solutions, whereas most other metals are easily corroded by these solutions. Moreover, aluminum islight in weight and can be shaped easily by drawing or otherwise. It presents an attractive appearance and can be finished by simple operations and at minimum ex pense.

Glass, porcelain and like materials are preferably employed for the inner container because of their low heat conductivity. Premature heating of the fire-extinguishing liquid is thus avoided. Aluminum can, however, be used.

The frame may be made of any suitable metal, such as. iron, brass, or aluminum. It may be finished in any suitable manner to provide an attractive appearance. 7

Various changes may be made in the details of construction and arrangement of the parts without departing from the invention or sacrificing any of tlie'adv'antages thereof.

I claim I V 1. Ina fire-extinguishen'inner and outer receptacles, a tube extending from the inner receptacle through the wall of the outer receptacle, fusible means supportingthe outer receptacle and means exerting pressure on the fusible means to positively seal the outlet from the tube while the fusible means is intact.

2. In a fire-extinguisher, inner and outer receptacles, a tube extending from the inner receptacle through the wall of the outer re-i threadedly supported means to positively seal the outlet from the tube when the fusible means is intact, said means being held against movement with the tube.

4. In a fire-extinguisher, inner and outer receptacles, a tube extending from the inner receptacle through the walls of the outer receptacle and movable therewith, a frame in which the extinguisher'is mounted, means on the frame held against movement with said tube to engage and seal the outlet from the tube and a fusible plug on the bottom of the frame supporting the extinguisher in spaced relation thereto.

5. In a fire-extinguisher, inner and outer receptacles, a tube extending from the inner receptacle through the wall of the outer re-v ceptacle and movable therewith, a frame in which the extinguisher is mounted, means threadedly mounted on the frame and held against movement with said tube to engage and seal the outlet from the tube, and a fusible plug on the bottom of the frame supporting the extinguisher in spaced relation thereto.

6. In a fire-extinguisher, a frame having a bottom and a hinged bail, an extinguisher comprising inner and outer receptacles and a tube extending from the inner receptacle through the wall of the outer receptacle and movable therewith, a fusible plug in the bottom of the frame supporting the outer receptacle in spaced relation thereto and a stopple supported on the bail and adapted to seal the outlet from the tube, said stopple being held against movement with the tube.

7 In a fire-extinguisher, inner and outer receptacles, a tube extending from the inner receptacle through the wall of the outer receptacle and movable therewith, fusible means supporting the outer receptacle and supported means to positively seal the outlet from the tube when the fusible means is intact, said mrians being held against movement with the tu e.

8. A fire extinguisher comprising a receptacle for a fire extinguishing material, a tube extending from said receptacle, fusible means supporting said receptacle and means exerting pressure on the fusible means to positively seal the outlet from the tube While the fusible means isintact.

9. A fire. extinguisher comprising a receptacle for a fire extinguishing material, a tube extending from said receptacle, fusible means supporting said receptacle and means exerting pressure on the fusible means to positively seal the outlet from the tube while the fusible means is intact, said means includ- 7 ing a spray head. i

10. A support for a fire extinguisher embodying a receptacle and closure means therefor, each supported independently of the other, and in which operation is initiated upon movement of said receptacle away from said closure means, comprising a frame and a fusible member thereon upon which the receptacle is adapted to rest.

11. A support for a fire extinguisher embodying a receptacle and closure means therefor, each supported independently of the other, and in which operation is initiated upon movement of said receptacle away'from said closure means, comprising'a frame having a bottom portion and a supporting bail, and at least one fusible member on the bottom portion upon which the receptacle is adapted to rest.

In testimony whereof I aflix my signature.

HOI/VARD WATERS DOUGHTY. 

